FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Devil Seed

By

Gemma the IceWolf

16

Guild Headquarters

Tuesday, 10:24 am

Several days had passed since receiving their assignment and though they were hard at work on their case, Sam and Kendra couldn't find any leads whatsoever on who their mole was or where they might find them. As Sam leaned back in his office chair while looking through a file he started grinding his teeth together, a habit he was seldom self conscious about. Across from him, his coyote partner chewed on a pen equally perplexed. The monotony of the silence in the room wasn't helping either, but it was either that or work with the radio on. They just as soon preferred the quiet, but it didn't make things any easier. Kendra finally shot from her chair, shouting through her teeth as she tossed her folder across the room. This was more research than even she was used to.

Sam didn't seem phased by it really. He simply moved his head to the side as the file flew his direction, knowing that Kendra hadn't meant to throw it directly at him. She was never a good throw. His eyes shifted up to her as he laid the file on his desk and smirked.

"Feel better?" he asked.

Kendra lowered her head with a blush, obviously somewhat embarrassed by her sudden outburst. "Yeah. What the hell are we doing anyway? We're not going to find anything on this mole we have if we just sit here. These are just dossiers of potential suspects. All their records are clean. And we're still not finished with it all. Shouldn't somebody else be doing this?"

Sam straightened up and reached over his desk for his coffee. It had long since gone cold, but at this point he didn't care. Taking a sip of his cold coffee he shook his head and set the cup back down.

"I hate this about as much as you do Kendra, but we don't know jack shit about this guy."

Kendra flopped back into her seat. "Maybe we need to look at the surveillance tapes again. Maybe we missed something."

Sam shook his head with a shrug. "We pretty much picked all the footage with a fine toothed comb. Whoever this guy is, he knew exactly where all the cameras were located and which direction to go and look when they were on him."

The two fell silent again for a moment. And then suddenly Kendra's eyes went wide.

"I just had an epiphany." she announced as she shot up from her seat.

Sam smirked as he looked at her. "What? Did we miss something?"

She stood up and grabbed her jacket.

"What if we can find his face in a shot that isn't in direct camera view?"

"Like?"

"A reflection. There has to be some image of the person's face on a wall, mirror, or something that the computer scanners can pick up."

Sam nodded as he stood up and picked up his trench coat. "Good thinking. Let's see what our eggheads in the lab can come up with."

As they headed out the door Kendra couldn't help bringing up what Sam had just said.

"Eggheads? Just how ancient are you Sam?"

A few moments later the two were in the surveillance lab watching the recordings of the mole as he weaved past security with little effort. Each time the person came into view their face was turned away from the camera. With the shoulder length hair one might have assumed the mole was a woman, but the figure was too out of place to be female. As they ran through the recordings once again Sam and Kendra observed as the mole made his way to the computer labs on the fifth floor and hacked into the system. The whole process took about fifteen minutes and in that time they never saw anything that would give the man's face away.

"This is just hopeless." Kendra complained as she slouched in a chair. "It's like he's messing with us or something."

Sam didn't pay any attention, his eyes too focused on the screen. He kept searching and watching, looking over any perspective he could of the surveillance footage. He suddenly jumped from his seat and turned to the young female skunk tech, at the controls.

"Hold it. Go back a few seconds."

The video quickly rewound and started up again. Sam stepped closer to the screen and squinted. His eyes focused on a single space.

"Okay freeze....now."

The tech froze the screen and Sam approached with a slight skip in his step. He started grinning ear to ear. Planting a finger on the screen he looked to the tech again.

"Zoom in here on the window."

The screen zoomed in twice on screen and started scanning. A face, just barely visible on the window could be made out. Sam started wringing his hands as he stepped back from the screen and let the surveillance tech do the rest of the work.

Kendra shook her head as she stood up. "How in the hell did we manage to miss that?"

Sam smirked. "A minor oversight. It's like a "Where's Waldo?" book, you'll pass him over several times before you notice him."

"You used to read "Where's Waldo?" when you were a kid?"

"All the time. How do you think I became a super sleuth for the Guild?"

Kendra stepped away laughing to herself as the computer filtered through a whole variety of faces. The guild kept a record of most anyone that had a criminal past of any kind. Whether it were a petty thief or a terrorist, they had them all. Some of the most dangerous people in the world were in their database, many of which were still on the Guild's hit list. It always made Sam grin when he caught a glimpse of a familiar face. Past people he'd locked up for good or terminated.

The computer finally froze and brought up an image of a man with a profile next to it. Sam looked it over and nodded in approval.

"Interesting person. Zack Lang aka Romulus, a human, age thirty two. Professional hacker and amateur spy for hire. Wanted in several states and by the FBI on charges ranging from bomb threats and blackmail to hacking bank systems and the FBI database."

Kendra snorted. "Nice guy. I can see why the feds would want him. That doesn't answer our newest question though. Who hired him?"

Sam shook his head as he turned to the surveillance tech. "Print out a copy of that would you?" He then turned back to Kendra who was by this time fiddling with a pen. "I'm as puzzled on that as you are. Maybe we'll get some answers once we find this guy. Of course now comes the fun part."

Kendra smirked as she stood up and started for the door. "Which is...?"

Sam followed close behind as he took out a cigarette and set it behind his ear. "We get to track down the sorry shit."

Los Angeles

Tuesday, 1:43 pm

The first thing they did upon leaving the Guild Headquarters was search through the city for all the internet cafes in the area. After the first four stops Kendra started to get impatient. It wasn't the tediousness of it that bothered her, but she couldn't fathom why they didn't use the information on Lang's profile.

"I'm just saying we should be checking up on his last place of residence. Maybe we can find a lead."

Sam simply shook his head as they pulled up to a red light in a green LTD. "Any of the possible trails he may have left behind have gone long cold by now. Not to mention that there's no doubt in my mind he knows we're looking for him. Whoever hired him undoubtedly gave him any information about the Guild he could get before doing the job. That said since he's a hacker he can cover his tracks in his residencies before we could get to him. We don't even know where he currently lives if he lives anywhere at all."

Kendra's eyes went wide as she was hit with sudden realization. "But the cafes are public areas full of people that go in there daily that have seen him."

Sam nodded with a grin as the light turned green. "That's right. Those places are lousy with hackers of every shape, size, species and gender. And this guy is bound to frequent at least one of them."

"So then we look for anyone that can identify Lang."

"Precisely. You're getting the hang of this."

"So then what's our next stop?"

"Marty's Fish 'n' Net. Place serves fish and chips with all the internet your little heart could ever desire."

Kendra couldn't hold back her laughter as they got out of the car. "That's a terrible name."

Once she was able to compose herself the two walked into the cafe and looked around. Most of the tables and sofas were already occupied with computer users of various age. The most noticeable thing in the place though was the present smell of salted fried fish. It wasn't terribly strong, but it did have a lingering odor that would stain into a person's clothes if they stayed there long enough. Most of the patrons only glanced up at the two only to go back to their computers just as quickly. For the most part it was quiet, with a bit of music coming from the speakers hanging high on the walls. A middle aged, brown hare in an apron and paper hat stood behind the service counter cutting and battering fish. Kendra couldn't help ringing the service bell multiple times at the counter, much to the irritation of the hare. He turned around with a slightly annoyed smirk on his face as he came up to them.

"Yes yes, the bell is working. Thank you. What can I get you?"

Sam rolled his eyes at Kendra and shook his head as he took out the picture of Lang. "We're looking for someone by the name of Zack Lang. We were hoping you can help us locate him." He held up the picture and the hare looked it over for a moment scratching his chin.

"Oh yeah. I've seen him. Keeps to himself pretty much. Comes in here every Tuesday for the late lunch special."

"Bingo." Kendra muttered.

Sam slipped the picture in his pocket. "When do you think he'll get here?"

"Oh probably about any minute now I'd say." said the hare. "He usually shows up by two. Eats, does something on his computer, then leaves."

Sam simply nodded and stepped away from the counter. Kendra did the same, standing by him with her arms crossed. Neither of them noticing one of the cafe's patrons getting out their cell phone and sending a text message. A moment later Kendra happened to look out the window and see a male human getting off a scooter and taking out his phone. He wore a red flannel jacket, blue shirt, and black jeans, with a backpack strapped to his back, with unkempt black hair and a slight tan. Kendra started stepping closer to the window trying to get a better look at his face. He paused for a moment and looked up, lowering his sunglasses and seeing Kendra through the window. She twirled around immediately.

"It's him!" she shouted.

Sam bolted toward the door as Lang started up the motor for his scooter again and started driving away. Sam made for the car with Kendra bursting through the front door of the cafe and jumping in through the window, but before they could pull out a taxi cab stopped right next to them, completely blocking the way out.

"Get that piece of crap out of the way!" Sam yelled to the cabby, who just ignored him as his passengers climbed out.

Kendra climbed out of the car and clenched her paws. She pointed her face straight up in the air and cried out. "I can't fucking believe this!"

Sam cut the engine and climbed out through the passenger side, the cabby clearly either not understanding him or being spiteful for having had his cab insulted by a complete stranger. Whichever way he looked at it Lang was gone already. Kendra was ready to explode.

"Son of a bitch! What the hell tipped the guy off to us?"

Sam was about to comment on her vulgarity when he started thinking about what she had just said. He started stomping back to the door of the cafe. "Not what Kendra. Who? He shouldn't have known we were looking for him."

She bolted in after him and Sam stood there with his trench coat open. He looked around the cafe and everyone's eyes were on him.

"Alright somebody told that guy that we were looking for him. Now who was it?" No one answered. Sam kept his composure. "I know somebody in here tipped him off. So I'm asking who it was." Again no one answered. "You know, it would be a real shame if everyone had to crawl out of here with broken limbs. I would really hate to have to hurt everyone here just to make sure I get the culprit. Or maybe we can borrow the deep fat fryer for a bit. Anybody?"

Kendra looked down at him starting to worry. Had he just flipped?

"I'm not going to ask again. So whoever it was, start talking. Or someone direct us to the guilty person." Once again no one answered. "Such a pity. Well, we don't have crow bars to break limbs and the deep fat fryer would probably be too messy. So maybe we'll just drag everybody to our headquarters for interrogation, have your computers and phones confiscated and searched through thoroughly for incriminating evidence to be used against you, and you'll never be seen or heard from again."

Kendra looked around the cafe, everyone including the hare at the counter stayed perfectly still. Then there was one of the patrons, a greyhound by the looks of him, sitting in the corner sweating like crazy and shaking like a leaf. He didn't look sick. He looked scared. He was just a kid, probably no older than 15. He wore a hooded sweater, loose jeans and sneakers, brown fur, with a white streak that trailed from his nose and over his head. His eyes shifted between Kendra and Sam, like he was half expecting to die there. Kendra elbowed Sam and pointed him out. Sam nodded and started in the hound's direction.

"Thank you all for your cooperation." he said with a smirk.

All the other patrons went back to their computers as the two cornered the greyhound. He looked up at both of them and swallowed hard as he closed his laptop.

"Am I under arrest?" he asked, his voice quivering.

"In a manner of speaking yes." Sam said as he helped him from his seat. Kendra grabbed his things and the two escorted him out to their car.

Guild Headquarters

Tuesday, 3:51 pm

"I know we have a job to do, but he's just a kid." Kendra started. "We can't really put the thumbscrews to him you know."

Since bringing in the greyhound from the internet cafe Kendra was starting to feel a bit concerned. Even remorseful. She didn't like the idea of terrorizing a minor. Sam didn't share her concern as much though. He simply gave her a gentle smile as they approached the interrogation room.

"He's been in there for a little over an hour without anyone. You saw the camera Sam. He looks like he's ready to crack."

Sam shook his head as they stood outside the door with a folder in his hand. "I wouldn't worry about it too much. Besides, did you see the look on the kid's face when we brought him in? We want him to be afraid enough that he'll tell us anything we want to know. Even if it's just a small amount of information, it might help. And I'm shocked that you would think I'd ever hurt a kid. I couldn't possibly bring myself to do something like that. Don't worry, I'll go easy on him."

Sam entered the room and set the file on the table across from where the young greyhound sat. He swallowed hard as he looked down at the file. His photo was clipped to it and looked slightly ill. Even more so when Sam sat down across from him and opened the folder.

"Let's see here. Alex Grant, age fifteen, born in Antelope Valley, California. Is that right?"

Alex simply nodded, too afraid to speak.

"Says here your parents died in a car accident. I'm sorry to hear that. Must have been rough. No known relatives so you've been sent from one foster home to the next till you effectively left the area after getting arrested for petty theft. You're officially a runaway."

Alex's eyes moved back and forth between Sam and the folder. He shifted in his seat as Sam read on.

"You've been living on the streets since then and taking odd jobs by folks in need of computer advice as well as hacking small accounts. Kind of a lousy life don't you think son?"

"Why are you reading this to me?" Alex finally asked.

"Look I'm not here to judge you." said Sam. "I know you're scared and it's alright. You don't have to be. We're not even cops. But we are looking for Zack Lang, and you obviously know him. Is he a friend of yours? I'm guessing he is since you texted him a message warning him about us."

Alex looked at him still worried to death. "I-I do know him. What do you want him for anyway?"

"Well, your friend Zack snuck into our headquarters here and then proceeded to hack our systems to get the files on four of our people. Whether you know it or not this guy makes a living as a hacker and spy for hire. Doesn't seem to care what the job is as long as he gets paid too."

Alex lowered his head. "Zack he... gives me some money every week. Just enough to keep me going. I don't make a whole lot so it helps me out."

Sam sighed as he sat back in his chair. "Look son, we don't want to hurt him. We just want some information. We want to find out who hired this guy. If it was someone really rotten they may plan to kill him. We can ensure his safety as well as yours, but we need your help first. Is there anything you can tell us? Where he lives? Any of the places he goes to?"

Alex nodded. "You won't do anything to him? He's like the big brother I never had."

Sam shook his head with a smile. "No. We're the good guys. All we need to know is who hired him to hack our systems."

Alex nodded. "I don't know where he lives, but I know someone who does. Zack goes to a place that used to be a warehouse down on 12th and Adams Street. They have these big game tournaments every night. Zack makes some extra money there when he isn't busy. He hasn't been there the last couple of weeks though."

Sam nodded as he tapped his finger on the table. "He's probably been laying low. Who do we contact?"

"The guy in charge is a lion who goes by the name Backlash. I've only met him once, but he seems to know his stuff and keeps a database on everyone that goes in."

"I take it Backlash is a bit of a recluse?"

Alex shook his head. "I don't think so. I see him talk to people all the time."

Sam slowly stood up from his seat and closed the folder on the table. "Well son, I think you've been pretty helpful so I guess that should be all for now."

"So I can go?"

Now Sam was the one shaking his head. "I'm afraid not. You're an integral person in all this. We might need you later. However, don't think we're inhospitable. You'll be staying in one of our guest suites for the time being. Don't worry, it's just like a hotel room. Think of it as a vacation. After all, where have you been sleeping these days, in an alley?"

Alex hung his head a bit and looked up at him slightly embarrassed. Sam mentally kicked himself.

"Right. Sorry kid. Anyway, our personnel can get you anything you need within reason and once we square this all away you might even find yourself working here. After all, someone with skills like yours does come in handy. For now though, take a breather kid, you've earned it. One of our security officers will by to come get you shortly okay?"

Alex nodded and Sam stepped out of the room. Kendra was standing there with her arms folded and a big smile on her face.

"I think that went well." she said.

Sam grinned as he started down the hall to the elevator. "And I did it all without the use of thumbscrews."

12th and Adams Street Warehouse

Tuesday, 6:27 pm

With the information they had acquired from Alex Grant, Sam and Kendra found themselves pulling up to a warehouse with neon signs covering the front. Music was booming from inside and there was a line of humans and furs standing by the entrance, no doubt awaiting admission. This didn't seem to deter either of them as they climbed out of their car and scanned the area.

"So this place is a late night entertainment center." Kendra said as she straightened out her tank top and jacket. "I'm guessing we need a reservation to get in."

Sam grinned as he took out his badge. "Not necessarily, though I do see two knuckle dragging bouncers. One at the entrance and one by the end of the line."

Kendra cracked her knuckles. "You want I should bust their skulls in?"

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Sam laughed.

The two crossed the street and walked up to the front of the line, addressing suited the bouncer who didn't look at all in the mood for talk. The large black bear sneered at them as they approached.

"We're here to speak with your boss, Backlash." said Sam

"Nobody sees Backlash without an appointment." the bear growled.

Sam grinned as he took out his Guild badge, shining it in the bear's face. "I think this should suffice, unless you need to see something else. My partner here is an expert at cracking skulls."

The bear merely grumbled and took out a two way radio. "Hey boss, there's somebody here to see you."

"You think I give a damn about that?" came a voice. "Do they even have an appointment?"

"No, but one of them has a badge."

"Shit. Alright I'll be right there."

Sam smirked as he looked to Kendra. She gave the same smirk. A few moments later a lion dressed in a long coat, black jeans, and black shirt stepped outside and turned to his bouncer.

"This had damn well better be good." he said.

"You must be Backlash." Sam began. "I hope you don't mind we'd like a word with you."

"Sure." the lion said with a snarl. "I don't have anything better to do than to listen to a cop asking me about my day and if we're doing any illegal activity around here. I run a legitimate business here and I would hope you respect that."

"Oh I can respect that. I can't thinking you look familiar somehow." said Sam as he stepped closer. "Fifteen years ago. Los Angeles. There was a big murder case involving a teen lion by the name of Ferris Reed and a gang of thugs. Reed was the one that got tagged with criminal charges including murder and possession of a firearm. Whole thing sounded sketchy from the get go and the kid was eventually proven innocent of any crime."

The lion stepped up to Sam giving him a suspicious look. He folded his arms. "Just how do you know so much about that?"

"I was the one assigned to the case. Does the name Sam Ritter ring any bells?"

The lion's jaw dropped as the memories of those days came flooding back to him. "Detective Sam Ritter? Holy shit man. What the hell are you doing here? My God it's good to see you."

Sam smiled. "It's agent now. I haven't been a detective on the force for ten years now."

"Shit man, you look good. And who is this lovely lady?"

"Kendra Hall. I'm Sam's partner."

Ferris smiled as he took her hand and kissed it. "Well I'd say he's a lucky guy. Come on in, we'll talk in my office."

Ferris led the two inside and across a walkway that held up against the wall. The lower floor had been hollowed out to allow more room in the building, thus giving it two floors including one with a railing that overlooked the majority of the video games as well as a dance floor and the gaming arena. Lights blinked and flowed across the walls and floor in a dazzling display that gave the place a party time atmosphere. Along the walkway was a small room set in a corner of the building that overlooked everything. Ferris led them inside and closed the door.

"So tell me what I can do for the man who single handedly saved me from a lifetime in prison?" he said with a smile as he sat down at his desk.

Sam sat down while Kendra looked out the window. "We're looking for a man named Zack Lang." Sam stated. "Ring any bells?"

Ferris sat back in his chair. "Yeah I do believe I remember that name. Comes and goes at least once a week to play some games, enters the tournaments sometimes and walks away with a wad of cash. Guy is pretty good at Marvel Vs. Capcom. What do you want with him if you don't mind my asking?"

"We have reason to believe that he hacked into our agency's database and pulled the files of four of our top agents from it. He hires himself out as a hacker and spy according to our records. We want to know who hired him to do it."

Ferris scratched his chin and started typing at his computer. "Let's see. Here we go. Zack Lang, age 32, lives at Gibraltar Street and Susana Avenue at the Florence Apartments, room 224."

Sam quickly took out a notepad and a pen and wrote down the information. He grinned as he looked it over. "Now all we have to do is hope he's home."

"I understand he hangs around a couple of different internet cafes during the week too."

"We tried one of those." said Kendra. "He managed to slip away from us thanks to a tipper and a damn taxi cab."

Ferris shook his head. "Well I'm afraid that's all I can give you. We don't ask for a lot of personal information and we keep a tight ship around here as it is so everybody can have a good time. It's not easy monitoring everything though."

Sam nodded as he stood up. "I'll bet. You have quite a setup here."

"Business has been good. I'd like to keep it that way if possible."

"Well, we appreciate the help." Sam said as he held out his paw.

Ferris stood up and shook it. "Any time man. Glad to be of service."

Sam headed out the door and Kendra followed, heading back out to the entrance and across the street to their car. The two sped off leaving Ferris to his work.

Florence Apartments

Tuesday, 8:34 pm

Shortly after leaving Ferris' night club and getting a quick bite to eat Sam and Kendra headed off to the street address of Zack Lang's current residence. After explaining themselves to the landlord he let them in and they headed up to the second floor to Lang's apartment. Both of them kept silent as they made their way to his door and took positions on either side. Sam was just about to knock when he heard something. It sounded like a glass pot fell over followed by the sound of muffled voices. He quietly pulled out his Berretta and stepped back from the door. Kendra followed suit standing beside him with her handgun out and ready to kick down the door when the sound of gunshots echoed inside the room.

"Shit!" Kendra yelled. "Not good." She charged and kicked the door open as Sam took position by the doorway. Lang was sitting strapped to an office chair with his head tilted to the side and an evident bullet sized hole in the middle of his head. The two human men dressed completely in black stood at either side of him. One held a large handgun while the other was holding an Uzi.

"Freeze!" Sam shouted. "Guild agency!"

The two gunmen raised their weapons and opened fire. Kendra dove into the kitchen while Sam stayed crouched behind the doorway. The gunman with the Uzi fired straight down the passage way out to the hall while Kendra reached her arm around and fired, hitting the man in the leg. He backed away, taking cover behind a tipped over table. His partner called down the short hallway inside and a third man armed with a shotgun stepped out. All of them speaking in a foreign language that Kendra couldn't comprehend.

"It's always the third guy that's packing a shotgun." Sam groaned.

"We are sorely outgunned here Sam!" Kendra shouted. "What the hell do we do?"

She fired on the group again managing to hit nothing more than a table lamp. Sam came out from behind the doorway and dove into the closet nearby. He fired multiple shots over their heads trying to keep the men down while Kendra reloaded. Both of them returned fire and then took cover as the two armed with the Uzi and shotgun opened fire, tearing though the drywall and wood, shooting anything that so much as flinched. Both Kendra and Sam reached around with their handguns and fired blindly forcing the two gunmen to take cover.

Sam quickly reached into his coat pocket and took out a small device and a pair of ear plugs. "I have a quick solution. Cover your ears!"

Kendra looked at him a bit confused. "Say what?"

"Cover your ears!" he shouted again."

Quickly placing her paws over her ears Kendra watched as Sam held up a small, black device and pressed a button on the top of it. Reaching out of the closet he tossed it out into the open and put in his earplugs. The device suddenly erupted with an ear piercing shriek that grew louder and louder with every second. Kendra clamped her ears down as tight as she could in an attempt to block out the sound. All three of the gunmen couldn't stand it. They quickly dropped their weapons completely forgetting about the two agents and tried their best to cover their ears, each shouting in agony as the device screamed through the small apartment. Sam took this as the chance to step out of the closet and approach the three attackers. He raised his Berretta and fired on each of them twice. He then picked up the device and pressed the button again, shutting it off. He slowly turned to Kendra who was still seated on the kitchen floor and called out to her.

"It's all clear now."

Kendra uncovered her ears and picked herself up. She stumbled out to the other room rubbing her temples after she holstered her gun and looked at the three now dead gunmen lying on the floor.

"Jesus Sam! What the hell did you do?"

Sam held up the small device. "This. It's called a sonic grenade. Nasty little thing one of our techies gave me a while back. It emits a high frequency sound that reaches three hundred decibels. Good way to knock out someone's eardrums. I had these guys choose between their guns and their hearing. They chose poorly."

Kendra shook her head. "Well we still have one problem. Lang is dead. So what the hell do we do now?"

Sam started down the short hall way to the bedroom. "Check his body. He might have something on him."

"Check his body?" Kendra cringed as she looked at Lang's fresh corpse still tied to the chair. "What makes you think he has something."

"These guys were looking all over the place for something, and they killed Lang for it. So it has to either be in among his stuff or on him."

Reluctantly Kendra started searching through Lang's pockets only turning up a wallet, apartment key, and a pack of chewing gum. She rifled through the wallet quickly finding little of interest say for some petty cash, a photo ID and a diners club card.

"Just what am I looking for Sam?"

"Anything out of the ordinary." Sam called from the bedroom. "Check under his clothes."

Kendra quickly started patting Lang down. She paused when she heard something crinkle in his pant leg. Kneeling down she rolled it up and found a piece of paper taped to his leg. She pulled it off and unfolded it.

"Sam. We've got something."

Sam came out from the bedroom and stepped over two of the dead gunmen. Kendra started reading the letter aloud.

"To the ones from the Guild looking for me, if you're reading this I am most likely dead. Shortly after I acquired the data on your agents I was confronted by my employer. He planned to kill me after I gave him the data and so I held out on him. Unfortunately that proved to be a big mistake on my part as I had people hunting for me. They'll never get the data though. It's in a safe place. While I can't tell you who my employer was due to the fact he decided to stay anonymous I can tell you that he works in your agency since he showed me a Guild badge. His position in your headquarters is amongst the files on a data disc I made. I was able to get some surveillance footage of him before I pulled out of the network. It should still be in the possession of my friend Alex Grant of whom you may have already met at the Fish 'n' Net. Most likely he gave himself away somehow since he's a jittery one. He's completely unaware that he has it. All of the files are encrypted in a special code that will take multiple hours to decipher. Just do me one favor, tell Alex I'm sorry for getting him involved. He's still just a kid and doesn't deserve to get dragged into a dangerous situation like this. Zack Lang."

Kendra folded the letter and put it in her pocket. Sam scratched his chin. "So the kid has the disc. To be honest I was thinking Lang would have it on his person. Guy was smarter than I gave him credit for."

"You know this means that Alex could be in danger. If whoever wanted the data from Lang found out about it..."

Sam nodded. "Right. We'd better get back to headquarters and have that disc deciphered. The sooner we get it from the kid the better."

Guild Headquarters

Tuesday, 10:17 pm

"And that's the situation boss." said Sam.

The chief sat back in his chair as he mulled over what the two moderators had explained to him. His eyes darted back and forth between them. Since arriving back at headquarters Sam and Kendra had had quite the story to tell. While it was unfortunate that their so called mole had died before he could give them any information it was unsettling to think that one of the Guild's own members was a traitor.

"What of the disc. Have you retrieved it from the boy yet?"

Sam nodded. "Yes sir. Poor kid had no idea he even had it. He didn't take the news of Lang's death too well and right now he's worried someone will come after him."

The chief nodded. "Right. I'll have security post two more guards near the room he's in. In the meantime have you taken time to get the disc deciphered?"

"Not yet sir." said Kendra. "Our techs don't really know what they're looking at. They think it's similar to a bomb program like the ones rigged to large computers for self destruct sequences."

"It's sophisticated." Sam added. "Let's put it that way."

"You think we need a bomb expert for this?" the chief asked.

Sam nodded. "A bomb expert with computer knowledge."

The chief signed as he rubbed his temples. "I think I have just the person for the job. I'll contact him first thing in the morning. In the meantime why don't you two get some rest? You've had a long day."

Sam and Kendra both stood up ready to leave.

"Thanks chief." they both said.

The two headed out to the hall and toward the elevator. Sam yawned as they stepped in. He was starting to feel the fatigue from running around the city all day. He wasn't old, but sometimes he sure felt like it.

"So now we get to play the waiting game." Kendra grumbled. "Didn't we just do that?"

Sam chuckled. "This job isn't all action and adventure. Besides, we got shot at once today. What more could you ask for?"

"A car chase, a fist fight, and a six pack of beer to split with a close buddy to shoot the shit with."

"Well, I can't supply the first two, but we're off duty for the night and I happen to have a six pack back at my quarters. Ice cold."

Kendra grinned. "Sounds good. I'll bring the pretzels."